Method and apparatus for generating image file

ABSTRACT

A method of generating an image file includes providing an electronic page through an electronic device; acquiring a plurality of images including at least a portion of the electronic page based on a user&#39;s input; and generating an image file including at least a first image and a second image of the plurality of images.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/287,710 filed on May 27, 2014 which claims the priority under 35U.S.C. § 119(a) from Korean Application Serial No. 10-2013-0075697 filedin the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Jun. 28, 2013 the entirecontent of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus forgenerating an image file.

2. Description of the Related Art

According to the development of information communication technologies,various user devices such as a smart phone and the like have been widelysupplied. Various applications for web browsing and an electronic bookare installed in such user devices for user's convenience.

In one example, due to the development of networks, countlessinformation exchanges are made between user devices or the user deviceand a server, and users use a method of capturing an image displayed onthe user device and transmitting the captured image to share theinformation.

SUMMARY

When a user desires to capture a page which cannot be shown to onescreen, for example, a page of which an entire content can be shown onlyafter a scroll is performed and to transmit the capture page to acounterpart, the user is required to generate a plurality of imagefiles. It will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A to 1B. FIGS. 1Aand 1B illustrate an example describing an image file generating methodaccording to a related art. As illustrated in FIG. 1A, when the userdesires to capture a page 120 which cannot be viewed through one screen110, the user is required to capture a page area displayed on thecurrent screen 110. Further, the user should repeatedly capture a nextpage area by performing a function of a scroll or the like. In thiscase, a new image file is generated whenever the capture is performed,and thus a plurality of image files 130 are generated as illustrated inFIG. 1B.

According to the related art, it is difficult to manage an image fileand there is cumbersomeness of selecting each of the image files intransmitting the image files to the counterpart.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method ofgenerating pieces of information provided to a user device as one imagefile.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a method ofgenerating an image file is provided. The method includes: providing anelectronic page through an electronic device; acquiring a plurality ofimages including at least a portion (or a part) of the electronic pagebased on a user's input; and generating an image file including at leasta first image and a second image of the plurality of images.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a method ofgenerating an image file is provided. The method includes: generating afirst capture image by performing a screen capture when there is ascreen capture request; generating an N^(th) capture image (N is anatural number larger than 1) by performing a new screen capturecorresponding to a new screen capture request when there is thecorresponding new screen capture request; and generating one image fileby combining at least a portion of the first to N^(th) capture images.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a method ofgenerating an image file is provide. The method includes: generating afirst capture image by performing a screen capture when there is ascroll capture request; generating an N^(th) capture image (N is anatural number larger than 1) by capturing an area newly displayed inaccordance with a scroll; and generating one image file by combining atleast a portion of the first to N^(th) capture images.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, anapparatus for generating an image file is provided. The apparatusincludes: a display unit that displays an electronic page; and acontroller that controls the display unit to display the electronicpage, acquires a plurality of images including at least a portion of theelectronic page based on a user's input, and generates an image fileincluding at least a first image and a second image of the plurality ofimages.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, anapparatus for generating an image file is provided. The apparatusincludes: a display unit that displays an electronic page; and acontroller that generates a first capture image by performing a screencapture when there is a screen capture request, generates an N^(th)capture image (N is a natural number larger than 1) by performing a newscreen capture corresponding to a new screen capture request when thereis the corresponding new screen capture request, and generates one imagefile by combining at least a portion of the first to N^(th) captureimages.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, anapparatus for generating an image file is provided. The apparatusincludes: a display unit that displays an electronic page; and acontroller that generates a first capture image by performing a screencapture when there is a scroll capture request, generates an N^(th)capture image (N is a natural number larger than 1) by capturing an areanewly displayed in accordance with a scroll, and generates one imagefile by combining at least a portion of the first to N^(th) captureimages.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the user caneasily generate information through the electronic device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B illustrate an image file generating method accordingto a related art;

FIG. 2 illustrates an image file generating method according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, FIG. 3C, FIG. 3D, FIG. 3E, FIG. 3F, FIG. 3G and FIG.3H illustrate an image file generating method according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an image file generating method according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B illustrate an image file generating method accordingto various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, FIG. 6C, FIG. 6D, FIG. 6E and FIG. 6F illustrate animage file generating method according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B and FIG. 7C illustrate an image area guiding methodaccording to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B and FIG. 8C illustrate an image resizing methodaccording to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 illustrates a scroll capture method according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 illustrates a scroll capture method according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11A, FIG. 11B, FIG. 11C, FIG. 11D, FIG. 11E and FIG. 11F illustratean image file generating method according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates a user device to which various embodiments of thepresent disclosure are applicable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, a detailed description of known functions and configurationsincorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matterof the present disclosure rather unclear.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 illustrates an image file generating method according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

The processing device (eg., user device) determines whether there is ascreen capture request from the user in step 201, and proceeds to step203 when there is the screen capture request.

The user device captures a screen to generate a first capture image instep 203, and then proceeds to step 205. According to an embodiment, thescreen capture may be performed for an entire display area or a setdisplay area. For example, the case where the screen capture isperformed for the entire display area may refer to a case where thescreen capture is performed for the remaining display area except for anindicator bar part showing antenna receiving sensitivity, batteryremainder, and current time. Alternatively, the case may refer to a casewhere the screen capture is performed for the remaining display areaexcept for an area displaying a key to which a return function to a homescreen or a back function is assigned. The generated capture image maybe stored in a predetermined memory space (for example, canvas).

In step 205, the user device determines whether there is a request for acontinuous screen capture. When it is determined that there is therequest for the continuous screen capture, the user device proceeds tostep 207. When it is determined that there is no request for thecontinuous screen capture, the user device proceeds to step 217. A newscreen capture request comprises a request for generating a new captureimage to be combined with a previously generated capture image. Forexample, the new screen capture request is a request for generating acapture image for an area including parts which have not been previouslycaptured, by performing a scrolling function when a long page is viewedon a web browser. A page may comprise a plurality of pages, or a pageprovided by one or more programs.

In step 207, the user device determines whether there is a new screencapture request. When it is determined that there is the new screencapture request, the user device proceeds to step 209. Otherwise, theuser device proceeds to step 217. The new screen capture request refersto a request for generating a new capture image to be combined with thepreviously generated capture image. For example, the new screen capturerequest may be a request for generating a capture image for an areaincluding parts which have not been previously captured, by performing ascroll function when a long page is viewed on a web browser. In oneembodiment, the page includes a plurality of pages. Alternatively, thepage may include a page provided by a plurality of programs.Alternatively, the page may include a page provided by one program.

The user device generates an N^(th) capture image in step 209, and thenproceeds to step 205. For example, the user device performs a new screencapture corresponding to the new screen capture request to generate acapture image in step 209. N is a natural number larger than or equal to2.

In one example, in step 217 performed by the determination that there isno request for the continuous screen capture or the determination thatthere is no new screen capture request after the determination of step205, the user device may generate an image file. When the number ofgenerated capture images is one, the user device may generate the imagefile by using the one capture image. Alternatively, when a plurality ofcapture images are generated according to a plurality of screen capturerequests, the user device may generate one or more image files bycombining the plurality of capture images.

According to the above described embodiment, when information that isprovided by the user device but cannot be all displayed on a screen ofthe user device is searched for, desired parts are captured and thecaptured images are combined, thereby creating a file.

In the above description, the image file generating method according tovarious embodiments has been discussed with reference to FIG. 2 .Hereinafter, an image file generating method according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure will be described with referenceto related drawings.

FIGS. 3A to 3H illustrate an image file generating method according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 3A, the user device including a screen 310 may providea page 320 larger than the screen 310. When there is a screen capturerequest while the page 320 is searched, a capture image may be generatedby capturing an image displayed on the screen 310.

Referring to FIG. 3B, an image including at least a part of thecurrently captured image may be provided to the user in a form of apreview image or a thumbnail 332. Alternatively, a menu for making arequest for a continuous screen capture may be provided without theprovision of the thumbnail. When there is a selection of a particularmenu or there is no input by the user within a preset time, the userdevice may generate an image file by using the capture image.

When a plurality of capture images 342, 344, and 346 are generatedaccording to the request for the continuous screen capture asillustrated in FIG. 3C, the user device may generate an image file 340by combining the plurality of generated capture images as illustrated inFIG. 3D or 3E.

In one example, when the user device recognizes the user's request forthe continuous screen capture, for example, a user's input of performinga swipe 352 for a capture image provided in a form of the thumbnail 332as illustrated in FIG. 3F, the user device may provide an interface ofinforming the user that a screen capture expansion is possible. Forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 3G, an interface 362 of informing that anew capture image can be generated may be displayed.

In various embodiments, an opposite direction of the swipe action by theuser, for example, a direction in which the interface 362 is displayedmay indicate a position a new capture image to be combined with thepreviously generated capture image. For example, when the swipe action352 is performed in a left direction, a next capture image may becombined at a right side 362 of the previous capture image 332 asillustrated in FIG. 3G. In contrast, when the swipe action is performedin a right direction, a next capture image may be combined at a leftside of the previous capture image.

In one example, when a user's action of selecting one side of thecapture image provided in the thumbnail form is recognized instead ofthe swipe action, the user device may provide an interface of informingthe user that a screen capture expansion is possible. Accordingly, theuser device may display an interface of informing that a new captureimage can be generated in at least one side of the capture image in thethumbnail form. For example, the user device may display one or moreindicators 371, 373, 375, and 377 around the image in the form of thethumbnail 372 as illustrated in FIG. 3H. When the user selects oneindicator 371, the user device determines that there is the request forthe continuous screen capture, and may display the interface 362 ofinforming that the screen capture expansion is possible as illustratedin FIG. 3G. Like the above described embodiment, when one indicator isselected, a direction in which the selected indicator is located mayindicate a position of a new capture image to be combined with theprevious capture image.

In one example, when generating an image file, the user device maygenerate the image file not to repeatedly include an overlapping area.Various embodiments will be described with reference to relateddrawings.

In one example, the preview image or the thumbnail may not be provided.

In one embodiment, a screen capture request input may include an inputof combining one or a plurality of hardware keys. Alternatively, thescreen capture request input may include an input of combining one or aplurality of software keys. Alternatively, the screen capture requestinput may include a particular gesture input. Alternatively, the screencapture request input may include an input of performing a combinationbased on at least one of the above inputs.

In one example, an additional image may be acquired based on the screencapture request input.

FIG. 4 illustrates an image file generating method according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

Since steps 401 to 407 and 417 are the same as steps 201 to 207 and 217of FIG. 2 , detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

When there is a new screen capture request, the user device determineswhether there is an area included in the previous capture image in anarea which is a target of the current screen capture in step 409. Whenit is determined that there is the area included in the previous captureimage in the area which is the target of the current screen capture, theuser device proceeds to step 411. Otherwise, the user device proceeds tostep 419.

In step 411 performed by the determination that there is the areaincluded in the previous capture image in the area which is the targetof the current screen capture, the user device generates an N^(th)capture image except for the area included in the previous captureimage.

In step 419 performed by the determination that there is no areaincluded in the previous capture image in the area which is the targetof the current screen capture, the user device generates an N^(th)capture image by using the area which is the target of the currentscreen capture.

FIG. 5 illustrates an image file generating method according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

For example, when the screen capture is performed in a state where anindicator bar or at least one of fixedly repeated areas is designated asa target of the screen capture (the designation may be set by default orset by the user through a selection of a set menu), capture images 552,554, and 556 including an indicator bar 502 are generated whenever thescreen is captured as illustrated in FIG. 5A. When the capture images552, 554, and 556 are directly combined, an image file 550 including aplurality of indicator bars 502 is generated as illustrated in FIG. 5B.The image file 550 including the plurality of image bars 502 makes theuser who views the image file 550 uncomfortable. In some embodiments,the user device may generate an image file such that only one indicatorbar 502 is displayed.

For example, the user device determines whether there is a capture areaoverlapping first to N-1th capture images when performing the screencapture to generate the N^(th) capture image. This is done based onimage position detection using coordinates with respect to a referenceposition within a scrollable screen image enabling detection ofoverlapped portions in different screen images as described later.Alternatively, detection of overlap areas is performed by recognizingduplicate image objects by determining at least a portion of an outlineof an object based on pixel luminance transition (as known) and matchinglike objects in different captured images. In response to identificationof an overlap area between 2 captured images, when it is determined thatthere is the overlapping capture area, the user device may generate theN^(th) capture image except for the overlapping capture area.

FIGS. 6A to 6F illustrate an image file generating method according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure.

For example, it is assumed that a capture image 642 is generated byperforming a screen capture from a long page 620 as illustrated in FIG.6A and a capture image 644 is generated by performing a scroll functionand then performing a screen capture from the scrolled page asillustrated in FIG. 6B. If an image file is generated using the captureimages 642 and 644, a size of the image file unnecessarily becomes largeand the user who views the image file feels uncomfortable due to theoverlapping captured area as illustrated in FIG. 6C.

Accordingly, the user device may determine whether there is an areaoverlapping the previous capture area in every capture and generate acapture image by using the remaining areas except for the overlappingarea. For example, when the capture image 642 as illustrated in FIG. 6Ais generated and then the capture is performed for the area 630 asillustrated in FIG. 6B, the user device may determine whether there isan area overlapping the previously generated capture image 642 in thearea 630 which is a target of the capture. For example, thedetermination may use information coordinates on the page (for example,information on X and Y coordinates).

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6D, it is assumed that coordinatesof a target area for generating the capture image are (0, 0) and (100,50) and coordinates of a target area for generating a new capture imageare (80, 0) and (180, 50). In this case, the coordinates ranging from(80, 0) to (100, 50) are the overlapping area. In this event, the userdevice may generate the new capture image by using an area except for anarea corresponding to the coordinates (80, 0) to (100, 50), for example,an area corresponding to the coordinates (100, 0) to (180, 50), asillustrated in FIG. 6 E. As illustrated in FIG. 6F, an image file havingno overlapping capture area can be generated.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible todisplay an already captured area in a preset way to inform the user thatthe corresponding area is the already capture area. It will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 7A to 7C.

FIGS. 7A to 7C illustrate an image area guiding method according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7A, the user device may shade ascreen-captured area 720 and display the shaded area 720. The user canmake the already captured area not overlappingly captured while viewingthe displayed screen.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the user device mayprovide a magnet guide. For example, the magnet guide may be used forpreventing an area included in the previously generated capture imagefrom being overlappingly included in the new capture image. For example,when there is a request for capturing an area continuous to a previouslycaptured area 720 as illustrated in FIG. 7 , if a currently displayedarea 730 includes a set area corresponding to a part 750 of thepreviously generated capture image, the user device may make thecorresponding area 750 not included in the current capture by performingan automatic scroll as illustrated in FIG. 7C.

In the above description, the screen capture method performed in onedocument, for example, one web page has been discussed, but variousembodiments of the present disclosure are equally applicable to a casewhere the screen capture is performed in one or more documents.According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the screencapture may be performed by interworking different applications. Forexample, an image file may be generated by performing a screen capturefrom one application, performing a screen capture from anotherapplication, and then combining capture images thereof.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the generated imagefile may do not exceed a set capacity of size (pixel). It may beachieved by, for example, identifying a capacity or size of a canvas forgenerating the image file.

For example, the user may secure a canvas for storing a newly generatedcapture image whenever there is a request for a continuous screencapture. When it is determined that a capacity or size of the securedcanvas exceeds a preset threshold, the user device may resize eachcapture image. It will be described with reference to FIGS. 8A to 8C.

FIGS. 8A to 8C illustrate an image resizing method according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

When there is a request for a screen capture of an area 810 a from apage 820 as illustrated in FIG. 8A, the user device may acquire acapture image including the corresponding area 810 a and store theacquired capture image in a predetermined memory space, for example, acanvas 860. Further, the user device may secure a canvas area 870 a fora new capture image. The secured canvas area 870 a may be determinedbased on a preset value or a capacity or size of the previouslygenerated capture image.

When there is a request for a screen capture of an area 810 b from apage 810 as illustrated in FIG. 8B, the user device may acquire acapture image including the corresponding area 810 b and store theacquired capture image in the canvas 860. Similarly, the user device maysecure a canvas area 870 b for a new capture image.

When the canvas for storing the capture image is secured, the userdevice may determine whether a canvas capacity exceeds a preset capacityor size. When the canvas capacity exceeds the preset capacity or size,the user device may resize each capture image.

For example, it is determined that a size or capacity of the canvas 860including the canvas area 870 b as described in FIG. 8B exceeds a presetthreshold, the user device may resize each capture image stored in thecanvas 860 as illustrated in FIG. 8C.

In one example, when it is determined that the canvas capacity or sizeexceeds the preset threshold, the user device may provide the user withan interface of asking the user about whether to divide the image file.Further, the user device may divide the image file according to aselection by the user.

In one example, the generation of the image file may be continuouslymade. Hereinafter, the continuous generation of the image file isreferred to as a scroll capture for the convenience of descriptions.

FIG. 9 illustrates a scroll capture method according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

The user device determines whether there is a scroll capture request instep 901, and proceeds to step 903 when there is the scroll capturerequest. The scroll capture request may be made by selecting a set menu.

The user device generates an N^(th) capture image in step 903, and thenproceeds to step 905. A first capture image may be generated for acurrently displayed area.

The user device determines whether a screen scroll is performed in step905, and proceeds to step 907 when it is determined that the screenscroll is performed.

The user device generates the N^(th) capture image by capturing a newlydisplayed area in step 907, and then proceeds to step 909. For example,when a new area corresponding to a set area is displayed through thescreen scroll, the user device may generate the N^(th) capture image.

In step 909, the user device determines whether there is a scrollcapture end request. When it is determined that there is the scrollcapture end request, the user device proceeds to step 911. Otherwise,the user device proceeds to step 905. The scroll capture end request maybe made by selecting a set menu.

In step 911, the user device may generate one or more image files bycombining first to N^(th) capture images.

FIG. 10 illustrates a scroll capture method according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

For example, when the user selects a particular menu for the scrollcapture while searching a page 1020 as illustrated in FIG. 20 , the userdevice may perform the screen capture for a currently displayed area1010 a. The generated capture image may be stored in a canvas 1060.Similar to the above described embodiments, the user device may secure acanvas for next capture images according to a scroll capture function.When the user performs the scroll, the user device may perform thescreen capture of areas 1070 a, 1070 b, 1070 c, and 1070 d newlydisplayed on the screen and repeatedly perform an operation of movingcapture images of the respective areas to the canvas.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, whenever the newlydisplayed areas 1070 a, 1070 b, 1070 c, and 1070 d are larger than orequal to a threshold, the user device may perform the capture of thenewly displayed areas 1070 a, 1070 b, 1070 c, and 1070 d to generate theN^(th) capture image.

Similar to the above described embodiments, when a new capture image isgenerated, the user device may secure canvas areas 1060 a, 1060 b, 1060c, and 1060 d for next capture images.

Thereafter, when there is a request for stopping the scroll capture byselecting a particular menu, the user device may combine the captureimages moved to the canvas to generate one or more image files.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, when there is a newlydisplayed area by a scroll performed in an opposite direction, it may bedetermined whether the corresponding area is an area stored in thecanvas. When the corresponding area is the area stored in the canvas,the user device may not store the corresponding area in the canvas.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, it ispossible to capture a long page without a plurality of controls for thescreen capture.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, it ispossible to acquire a capture image through an operation of selectingthe area 1010 a at which the user desires to start the screen captureand an operation of selecting the area 1010 b at which the screencapture ends. For example, when information on coordinates (0, 0) and(100, 50) corresponding to the area 1010 a is acquired and informationon coordinates (380, 0) and (480, 50) corresponding to the area 1010 bis acquired, an image corresponding to coordinates (0, 0) and (480, 50)can be acquired. FIGS. 11A to 11F illustrate an image file generatingmethod according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

When there is a user's request for performing a partial capture in adisplay state illustrated in FIG. 11A, the user device may divide adisplay area into a plurality of sub areas and display guide linesguiding the corresponding sub areas as illustrated in FIG. 11B.

Thereafter, when the user selects at least one sub area as illustratedin FIGS. 11C and 11E, the user device may generate a capture image byperforming a capture of the selected sub areas 1102 and 1104 andrepeatedly perform an operation of storing the generated capture imagein the canvas as illustrated in FIGS. 11D and 11F. The selection of atleast one sub area by the user may be made by a touch or a touch anddrag action.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when there is aselection of at least one sub area, the user device may make theselected area distinguished from an area which has not been selected.For example, the user device may shade the selected area.

When there is a user's request for completing the partial capture afterat least one sub area is selected, the user device may generate an imagefile by using the sub area stored in the canvas.

In the above description, the image file generating method according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure has been discussed withreference to FIGS. 1 to 11 . Hereinafter, a user device to which variousembodiments of the present disclosure are applicable will be describedwith reference to related drawings.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the imagefile generating method may include an operation of providing anelectronic page (for example, 120, 320, 620, 820, or 1020) through anelectronic device, an operation of acquiring a plurality of images (forexample, 342, 344, 346, 552, 555, 556, 642, 644, 810 a, and 810 b)including at least a part of the electronic page based on a user'sinput, and an operation of generating an image file (for example, 340 or550 of FIG. 6F, FIG. 11D, or FIG. 11F) including at least a first imageor a second image of the plurality of images.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, theoperation of acquiring the images may include an operation ofdetermining whether to acquire an additional image based on the user'sinput (for example, input 352 or 372).

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, theoperation of acquiring the images may include an operation of displayingpreview images 332 and 362 corresponding to the plurality of images.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, theoperation of acquiring the images may include an operation ofdetermining whether to acquire an additional image based on the previewimages 332 and 362.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, theoperation of acquiring the images may include an operation of acquiringa plurality of images such that the first image and the second image donot overlap each other.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, theoperation of generating the image file may include an operation ofdetermining a relative position of the first image and the second imagebased on the user's input.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, theoperation of generating the image file may include an operation ofcombining the first image and the second image based on the relativepositions.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, theoperation of generating the image file may include an operation ofgenerating the image file such that the plurality of images do notinclude an overlapping area.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, theoperation of acquiring the images may include an operation of acquiringa plurality of images including at least a part (for example, 1070 a,1070 b, 1070 c, or 1070 d) of an electronic page newly provided inaccordance to a user's input of scrolling the electronic page.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, theoperation of acquiring the images may further include an operation ofacquiring at least a part (for example, 1102 or 1104) of the pluralityof images based on the user's input.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the imagefile generating method may include an operation of generating a firstcapture image by performing a screen capture when there is a request forcapturing a screen (for example, an electronic page), an operation ofgenerating an N^(th) capture image (N is a natural number larger than 1)by performing a new screen capture in response to a new screen capturerequest when there is the corresponding request, and an operation ofgenerating one image file by combining at least a part of the first toN^(th) capture images.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the imagefile generating method may include an operation of generating a firstcapture image by capturing a screen (for example, an electronic page)when there is a scroll capture request, an operation of generating anN^(th) capture image (N is a natural number larger than 1) by capturingareas 1070 a, 1070 b, 1070 c, and 1070 d newly displayed in accordancewith a scroll, and an operation of generating one image file bycombining at least a part of the first to N^(th) capture images.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, theelectronic page may include one or a plurality of electronic pagesprovided by one program.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, theelectronic page may include one or a plurality of electronic pagesprovided by a plurality of programs.

FIG. 12 illustrates a user device to which various embodiments of thepresent disclosure are applicable.

Referring to FIG. 12 , a user device to which various embodiments of thepresent disclosure are applicable may include a controller 1210, adisplay unit 1220, an input unit 1230, and a memory unit 1240. At leastone of the above components may be omitted.

The controller 1210 may generate a first capture image by performing ascreen capture when there is a screen capture request. Whenever there isa new screen capture request, the controller 1210 may generate an N^(th)capture image by performing a new screen capture corresponding to thenew screen capture request. When there is an image file generatingrequest, the controller 1210 may generate one or more image files bycombining the first to N^(th) capture images.

In one example, the controller 1210 determines whether there is arequest for a continuous screen capture after the screen capture isperformed. When there is the request for the continuous screen capture,the controller 1210 may secure a storage space for the screen capture.

In one example, the controller 1210 may display a currently generatedcapture image as a thumbnail having a preset size whenever the screencapture is performed. When there is a user's action of selecting oneside of the thumbnail or swiping the thumbnail, the controller 1210 maydetermine that there is the request for the continuous screen capture.The controller 1210 determines an image combination direction inconsideration of a direction in which the thumbnail is selected or thethumbnail is swiped and performs an image combination according to thedetermined image combination direction so as to generate the image file.

In one example, the controller 1210 determines whether there is acapture area overlapping previous capture images, for example, the firstto N-1th capture images when performing the screen capture to generatethe N^(th) capture image. When it is determined that there is theoverlapping capture area, the controller 1210 may generate the N^(th)capture image except for the overlapping capture area.

In one example, the controller 1210 determines whether there is anoverlapping capture area in the first to N^(th) capture images ingenerating the image file. When there is the overlapping capture image,the controller 1210 may remove the overlapping capture area from atleast one capture image and generate the image file.

In one example, the controller 1210 may generate the first capture imageby performing a screen capture of a currently displayed area when thereis a scroll capture request. The controller 1210 may generate the N^(th)capture image by capturing a newly display area according to a user'saction of scrolling the screen. The controller 1210 may generate one ormore image files by combining the first to N^(th) capture images.Whenever the newly displayed area is larger than or equal to athreshold, the controller 1210 may generate the N^(th) capture image bycapturing the newly displayed area.

In one example, when there is a partial capture request, the controller1210 may divide a display area into a plurality of sub areas. Thecontroller 1210 may display a guide indicating the divided sub areas.The controller 1210 may generate at least one capture image by capturingthe sub area selected from the divided sub areas by the user. Thecontroller 1210 may generate one or more image files by combining thegenerated capture images in accordance with positions of the selectedsub areas.

The display unit 1220 may display the screen under a control of thecontroller 1210. The input unit 1230 may generate an input signalaccording to an input by the user and transmit the generated inputsignal to the controller 1210. The display unit 1220 and the input unit1230 may be implemented by a touch screen.

The memory unit 1240 may store a capture image and an image file. Thememory unit 1240 may store a canvas area for storing the capture image.

The embodiments of the present disclosure discussed in the abovedescription may be implemented through various random methods. Forexample, various embodiments of the present disclosure may beimplemented in software, hardware, or a combination thereof. When thevarious embodiments of the present disclosure are implemented insoftware, the software may be executed on one or more processors usingvarious operating systems or platforms. Additionally, the software maybe made using random one of a plurality of proper programming languagesand also complied by an executable machine language or intermediate codeexecuted in a framework or a virtual machine.

Further, when the various embodiments of the present disclosure areimplemented on one or more processors, the various embodiments of thepresent disclosure may be implemented by a processor-readable medium(for example, a memory, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a compact disk, anoptical disk, or an magnetic tape) recording one or more programs forperforming the method implementing the various embodiments of thepresent disclosure discussed in the above description.

The above-described methods and apparatuses of the disclosure can beimplemented in hardware, firmware or via the execution of software orcomputer code that can be stored in a recording medium such as a CD ROM,a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), a magnetic tape, a RAM, a floppy disk, ahard disk, or a magneto-optical disk or computer code downloaded over anetwork originally stored on a remote recording medium or anon-transitory machine readable medium and to be stored on a localrecording medium, so that the methods described herein can be renderedvia such software that is stored on the recording medium using a generalpurpose computer, or a special processor or in programmable or dedicatedhardware, such as an ASIC or FPGA. As would be understood in the art,the computer, the processor, microprocessor controller or theprogrammable hardware include memory components, e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash,etc. that may store or receive software or computer code that whenaccessed and executed by the computer, processor or hardware implementthe processing methods described herein. In addition, it would berecognized that when a general purpose computer accesses code forimplementing the processing shown herein, the execution of the codetransforms the general purpose computer into a special purpose computerfor executing the processing shown herein. The functions and processsteps herein may be performed automatically or wholly or partially inresponse to user command. An activity (including a step) performedautomatically is performed in response to executable instruction ordevice operation without user direct initiation of the activity. Noclaim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recitedusing the phrase “means for.”

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of generating an image file by screencapture, the method comprising: displaying a first portion of anelectronic page through an electronic device, wherein a size of theelectronic page is larger than a size of a display of the electronicdevice; acquiring the first portion of the electronic page; continuouslyscrolling the electronic page by a predetermined amount, wherein thepredetermined amount of the electronic page is smaller than the firstportion of the electronic page, thereby displaying and acquiring asecond portion of the electronic page scrolled by the predeterminedamount from the first portion, and displaying and acquiring a thirdportion of the electronic page scrolled by the predetermined amount fromthe second portion, wherein the second portion includes a firstidentical portion corresponding to a part of the first portion, and thethird portion includes a second identical portion corresponding to apart of the second portion; identifying whether a scroll capture endrequest is detected while continuously scrolling the electronic page,wherein the scroll capture end request includes a user input receivedwhile scrolling the electronic page; based on identifying that thescroll capture end request is detected while displaying the thirdportion of the electronic page, generate an image file by combining thefirst portion, the second portion, and the third portion acquired untilthe scroll capture end request is detected, based on identifying thatthe scroll capture end request is detected while displaying a lastportion of the electronic page, generate an image file corresponding toan entire portion of the electronic page, wherein generating the imagefile includes generating the image file not to repeatedly include thefirst identical portion and the second identical portion.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein continuously scrolling the electronic page comprisesidentifying whether to acquire an additional portion of the electronicpage based on the user input.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereincontinuously scrolling the electronic page comprises displaying apreview image corresponding to one of portions included in theelectronic page; displaying one or more indicators around the previewimage; when one indicator is selected, identifying a request for acontinuous screen capture.
 4. The method of claim 1, whereincontinuously scrolling the electronic page comprises acquiring portionsincluded in the electronic page acquired until the scroll capture endrequest is detected such that each of the portions does not repeatedlyincludes identical portions.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein thegenerating of the image file comprises identifying relative positions ofeach of portions included in the electronic page acquired until thescroll capture end request is detected based on the user input.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the generating of the image file comprisesgenerating the image file such that portions included in the electronicpage acquired until the scroll capture end request is detected do notrepeatedly include identical portions.
 7. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: when scrolling the electronic page, performing screencapture of areas newly displayed on the display; repeadly performing anoperation of moving capture images of the respective areas to a canvas.8. The method of claim 7, wherein performing screen capture of the areasincludes performing screen capture of the areas when the areas arelarger than or equal to a threshold.
 9. The method of claim 1, whereinportions included in the electronic page acquired until the scrollcapture end request is detected excludes an area displaying a key towhich a return function to a home screen or a back function is assigned.10. The method of claim 1, wherein a user's input for continuouslyscrolling the electronic page comprises an input of combining one or aplurality of hardware keys.
 11. An apparatus for generating an imagefile, the apparatus comprising: a display; and a controller configuredto: display, on the display, a first portion of an electronic page,wherein a size of the electronic page is larger than a size of a displayof the apparatus, acquiring the first portion of the electronic page;continuously scrolling the electronic page by a predetermined amount,wherein the predetermined amount of the electronic page is smaller thanthe first portion of the electronic page, thereby displaying andacquiring a second portion of the electronic page scrolled by thepredetermined amount from the first portion, and displaying andacquiring a third portion of the electronic page scrolled by thepredetermined amount from the second portion, wherein the second portionincludes a first identical portion corresponding to a part of the firstportion, and the third portion includes a second identical portioncorresponding to a part of the second portion; identify whether a scrollcapture end request is detected while continously scrolling theelectronic page, wherein the scroll capture end request includes a userinput received while scrolling the electronic page; based on identifyingthat the scroll capture end request is detected while displaying thethird portion of the electronic page, generate an image file bycombining the first portion, the second portion, and the third portionacquired until the scroll capture end request is detected, based onidentifying that the scroll capture end request is detected whiledisplaying a last portion of the electronic page, generate an image filecorresponding to an entire portion of the electronic page wherein thecontroller is configured to generate the image file not to repeatedlyinclude the first identical portion and the second identical portion.12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the controller identifies whetherto acquire an additional portion of the electronic page based on theuser input.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the controllerdisplays a preview image corresponding to one of portions included inthe electronic page; displays one or more indicators around the previewimage; when one indicator is selected, identifies a request for acontinuous screen capture.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein thecontroller acquires portions included in the electronic page acquireduntil the scroll capture end request is detected such that each of theportions does not repeatedly includes identical portions.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein the controller identifies relativepositions of each of portions included in the electronic page acquireduntil the scroll capture end request is detected based on the userinput.
 16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the controller generatesthe image file such that portions included in the electronic pageacquired until the scroll capture end request is detected do notrepeatedly include identical portions.
 17. The apparatus of claim 11,wherein the controller, when scrolling the electronic page, performsscreen capture of areas newly displayed on the display; repeadlyperforms an operation of moving capture images of the respective areasto a canvas.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the controllerperforms screen capture of the areas when the areas are larger than orequal to a threshold.
 19. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein portionsincluded in the electronic page acquired until the scroll capture endrequest is detected excludes an area displaying a key to which a returnfunction to a home screen or a back function is assigned.
 20. Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein a user's input for continuously scrollingthe electronic page comprises an input of combining one or a pluralityof hardware keys.